"Hello, Pepper," Harry said brightly as he handed over his shift to Felicia and took a seat opposite Pepper Potts, who was nursing her freshly brewed cup of coffee. He placed a small gift box in front of her. "Happy Birthday," he added with a warm smile.
Pepper looked up and returned his smile. Ever since their first meeting, she had become a regular at Lily's Café, either stopping by for herself or to get cheeseburgers for Tony. Additionally, Harry had become a consultant at Stark Industries so he too had also become a regular fixture in her life. As a result, the two had become the best of friends.
"Thank you, Harry," Pepper said, her eyes sparkling. Without standing on ceremony, she opened the box to find a pair of diamond stud earrings nestled inside. She gasped softly and looked up at Harry with a bright smile. "They are beautiful."
"I'm glad you like them," Harry replied, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "I thought they'd look perfect on you."
Pepper gently took the earrings out of the box and admired them. "You have great taste, Harry. These are stunning." She then reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "Thank you, really. This means a lot."
"You deserve it, Pepper. You've done so much for everyone, especially Tony. It's the least I could do." Harry said warmly.
Pepper chuckled. "Sometimes I wonder if Tony even notices how much I do for him."
Harry grinned. "He notices, even if he doesn't always show it. Trust me." Harry reaffirmed her. "So, where are you taking me to lunch today for your birthday?" Harry asked with a playful grin.
"I have a reservation at Nobu, Malibu, for both of us. I've always wanted to go there for sushi, and I know you'll enjoy it too. I want to relax near the beach, enjoy the sun, and have some good food today," Pepper replied, her eyes lighting up at the thought.
Harry chuckled. "Sounds perfect. You do deserve a relaxing day."
Pepper sighed, rolling her eyes. "I know, Tony's been running me ragged lately."
"Oh no, what did he do this time?" Harry asked, already bracing for the answer.
"Do you know the stunt he pulled yesterday?" Pepper began, exasperation evident in her voice. "Rhodey was supposed to present him with the Apogee Award, but Tony no-showed him because he was playing dice in the casino."
Harry shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "That sounds like Tony. Poor Rhodey must have been pissed."
"Pissed is an understatement," Pepper said, her frustration clear. "I hope they don't end up fighting throughout their trip in Afghanistan. Rhodey can hold a grudge sometimes."
"Yeah, I can imagine. Tony does have a knack for pushing people's buttons," Harry agreed. "But hopefully, they'll keep it professional over there."
Pepper sighed again, but a small smile played on her lips. "I'm just glad I don't have to babysit him for a few days. I need this break. Anyways, enough about Tony," Pepper said, waving her hand dismissively. "How is Natalie doing? Is she coming to visit soon? You said you would introduce her, but you seem to disappear on all of us whenever she's in town."
Harry raised his hands in mock surrender. "It's not my fault. She only gets to stay home for a few days at a time. She keeps on travelling the world for work. Recently, she's been in Johannesburg and will be there for a few months."
"I didn't know the life of a translator included this much travel," Pepper marvelled, taking a sip of her coffee.
"She's a historian, not a translator," Harry replied a hint of pride in his voice.
"What does she do exactly?" Pepper asked, with mock accusation.
"She translates old Latin texts into English for historical preservation," Harry explained, his eyes lighting up with admiration.
"Mhmm. Translator," Pepper teased with a playful smirk.
Harry blew her a raspberry, causing them to laugh. "She's more than just a translator, Pepper. She brings ancient history to life."
Pepper's smile softened. "I can see how much you care about her. I'd really love to meet her one day."
"You will, I promise," Harry said, sincerity in his eyes. "It's just hard with her schedule. But next time she's in town, I'll make sure we all get together."
Pepper nodded, appreciating his effort. "I'm looking forward to it. She sounds amazing."
Their fun banter was interrupted by a call that spoiled Pepper's mood completely. Her expression turned serious as she listened. After a few moments, she sighed and hung up.
"What's up?" Harry asked, noticing the shift in her demeanour.
"I need to take out the trash and bring you into the head office. You have a meeting with Obie about our new ventures," Pepper replied, her tone now businesslike.
Harry huffed, a frown crossing his face. He hated dealing with Obadiah Stane. He understood Stane's importance to the company, but they did not get along at all. Stane had built his name and a sizable fortune by selling weapons, while Harry was pushing Stark Industries in a different direction—towards consumer electronics, telecommunications, and medical supplies. It was an understatement to say that the two did not see eye to eye.
"Stane again," Harry muttered, shaking his head. "He's probably going to try to shoot down all my ideas."
Pepper gave him a sympathetic look. "Just stick to your guns, Harry. You're making a difference, and Tony supports you."
"We going to Tony's first?" Harry asked, taking out the trash had become their code for sending away the girl Tony had spent the previous night with.
Pepper nodded. "Yes. It seems Tony didn't show up at the airport, and we need to make sure he's on his way to Afghanistan. Rhodey is already annoyed with him."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Typical Tony. Alright, let's get this over with. You knew this was going to happen. I was wondering why you were in your business suit instead of something casual," Harry remarked as they made their way to Pepper's car.
Pepper smirked. "My job is my life, Harry. I carry it around with me everywhere I go. I'm always ready for work," she said proudly.
"I don't think that's something you should be proud of," Harry teased, a playful glint in his eye.
"Well, not everyone can be a multi-millionaire and run a café because they were getting bored at home," Pepper retorted with a grin, enjoying their banter.
Harry shrugged, chuckling. "Touché."
They settled into Pepper's car, a comfortable silence falling between them as Pepper navigated through the streets of Los Angeles towards Tony's state of the art mansion in Malibu. The drive was pleasant, the coastal scenery a stark contrast to the bustling city they left behind. Harry glanced out of the window, the ocean breeze tousling his hair, momentarily easing the tension building inside him about the upcoming meeting with Stane.
"So, any predictions on what Tony's latest excuse will be?" Harry asked, breaking the silence as they approached the winding road leading up to the mansion.
Pepper chuckled. "Knowing Tony, it could be anything from a last-minute tech breakthrough to a forgotten appointment with a supermodel. Your guess is as good as mine."
"I'm just hoping it's not another 'I was held up in my workshop' story. Rhodey's patience is wearing thin," Harry remarked.
Pepper nodded knowingly. "Trust me, Harry, we've heard them all. But let's see what excuse he has this time."
As they pulled up to the gated entrance of Tony's mansion, Pepper pressed the intercom button, announcing their arrival. The gates slowly swung open, revealing the sprawling estate bathed in the late morning sun. Harry took in the sight, steeling himself for whatever antics Tony had gotten himself into this time.
While Pepper headed to escort Tony's yesterday night's fling out, Harry headed to Tony's workshop to see what he was doing.
"I thought you were going to Afghanistan two hours ago," Harry said, leaning casually against a workbench cluttered with half-finished gadgets.
"Where's Pepper?" Tony asked absentmindedly, still tinkering with the engine of his car.
"Taking out the trash," Harry replied with a smirk. "I wanted to talk to you for a bit before you left for Afghanistan."
"What about?" Tony said, finally looking up from his work, his interest piqued.
"Clean energy," Harry replied, stepping closer to Tony's workbench.
Tony gave Harry a skeptical look. "Clean energy?"
"I was going through all the projects that Stark Industries has ever produced. The clean energy project with the arc reactor seemed to have potential."
Tony chuckled. "The arc reactor? That was just a publicity stunt, Harry."
"Yet Stark Industries Headquarters operates completely off the power grid and with electricity to spare," Harry pointed out. "I think your father had the right idea of using the Arc Reactor instead of nuclear power plants for energy generation."
Tony raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "You've been doing your homework, haven't you?"
"Always," Harry said with a grin.
"We can talk about it once I get back," Tony said, turning back to his car's engine.
Harry nodded, understanding Tony's need to focus on his current project. Just then, Pepper entered the room with an exasperated look on her face.
"You are supposed to be halfway around the world right now," Pepper remarked, her tone firm yet with an underlying warmth that Harry knew well.
"How'd she take it?" Tony replied, a hint of amusement in his voice as he continued to tinker with his car.
"Like a champ," Pepper answered, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Why are you trying to hustle me out of here?" Tony retorted playfully.
"Your flight was scheduled to leave an hour and a half ago," Harry interjected, leaning against a nearby workbench. He watched the interplay between Tony and Pepper with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
"That's funny, I thought with it being my plane and all, that it would just wait for me to get there," Tony quipped, his attention briefly shifting to Harry.
"You're never a morning person, Tony. Why did you even schedule your flight so early?" Harry asked, genuinely curious.
"That's right, why do I have a flight so early?" Tony redirected the question towards Pepper, who seemed adept at ignoring their banter.
"Tony, I need to speak to you about a couple of things before I get you out the door," Pepper said, her voice taking on a more business-like tone.
"Also, doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of having your own plane if it departs before you arrive?" Tony remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"Larry called. He's got another offer for the Jackson Pollock in the wings. Do you want it? Yes or no," Pepper continued, steering the conversation back to business.
"Is it a representation of his Spring period?" Tony inquired, showing a surprising depth of knowledge in art despite his casual demeanor.
"No, the spring was actually the neighborhood in East Hampton where he lived and worked, not spring like the season," Pepper clarified.
"So?" Tony prompted.
"I think it's a fair example. I also think it's incredibly overpriced," Pepper stated matter-of-factly.
"I need it. Buy it, store it," Tony decided with a wave of his hand, his attention briefly distracted as Harry murmured his confusion about Jackson Pollock's art.
"Okay, the MIT commencement speech," Pepper moved on smoothly.
"Is in June. Please, don't harangue me about stuff that's way down the line," Tony interrupted, his impatience showing through.
"Well, they are haranguing me, so I'm going to say yes," Pepper persisted, undeterred by Tony's attempts to deflect.
"Deflect it and absorb it. Don't transmit it back to me," Tony quipped, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
"I need you to sign this before you get on the plane," Pepper said firmly, pushing a document towards Tony.
"What are you trying to get rid of me for? What, you got plans?" Tony teased.
"As a matter of fact, I do. I was supposed to go grab lunch with Harry today. We were supposed to be having sushi by the beach right now if it wasn't for you," Pepper replied with a hint of playful exasperation.
"I don't like it when you have plans," Tony admitted, his tone softer now, almost wistful.
"I'm allowed to have plans on my birthday," Pepper retorted, her voice tinged with fond exasperation.
"It's your birthday?" Tony asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yes," Pepper confirmed with a slight smile.
"I knew that. Already?" Tony replied, a touch uncertain.
"Yeah, isn't that strange? It's the same day as last year," Pepper quipped, teasing him gently.
"Get yourself something nice from me," Tony instructed, his tone warm and sincere.
"I already did," Pepper confirmed, a softness in her voice that Harry recognized.
"And?" Tony prompted with a curious grin.
"It was very nice," Pepper replied warmly.
"Yeah," Tony murmured, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Very tasteful. Thank you, Mr. Stark," Pepper said sincerely, their banter a familiar dance.
"You're welcome, Ms. Potts," Tony responded with a touch of formality that belied the fondness in his eyes.
"Okay," Tony finally said with a huff, breaking the moment as he gave Harry a pointed look before storming out of the workshop.
"When will the two of you realize?" Harry asked Pepper softly, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and affection.
"What?" Pepper asked, momentarily puzzled.
"Nothing," Harry replied with a faint smile, though inside, he couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. He had observed the intricate dance between Pepper and Tony since their first meeting. It was clear to him that they harboured deep feelings for each other, yet neither seemed willing to acknowledge it. Sometimes, he found their behaviours exasperating, especially when Tony would display hints of jealousy over Harry's closeness to Pepper.
Once Harry and Pepper had seen Tony off for his trip to Afghanistan, the two of them headed to Stark Industries Headquarters for Harry's scheduled meeting with Obadiah Stane.
Harry spent over two hours deeply engaged with the Research and Development team, the marketing team, and the finance team, discussing the expansion of Stark Industries' operations. Everyone present seemed genuinely invested in the new venture, and ideas flowed freely. It was a productive meeting, with plans and strategies taking shape, but the absence of the decision-maker, Obadiah Stane, cast a shadow over the proceedings.
Stane was late by almost two hours, and Harry's initial patience wore thin as minutes stretched into what felt like wasted time. Despite his frustrations, Harry maintained his composure, knowing Stane's traditionalist tendencies and the importance of diplomacy in such corporate settings.
"Next time for your birthday, we're going to travel to a place where Stark Industries can't reach us," Harry whispered harshly to Pepper, his frustration evident in his tone.
"I second that," Pepper whispered back with a sympathetic smile, understanding Harry's annoyance.
Another hour passed before the meeting finally wound down, but Stane was still a no-show. The lingering absence of Stark Industries' influential figurehead spoke volumes about his disregard for Harry's input and the projects discussed. It was a subtle yet pointed display of disrespect that didn't go unnoticed by Harry or Pepper.
As they gathered their notes and prepared to leave the conference room, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of being undervalued and dismissed.
"You owe me," Harry remarked to Pepper as they walked out of Stark Industries. "I didn't need to be there in that meeting. Why was I even in that meeting?" He frowned, his frustration evident.
Pepper shrugged, sympathetic but unsure how to respond. "Stane had requested your presence, mentioning it was for an important discussion. He assured me he would be there personally. I suppose he got held up somewhere."
"Hmm," Harry grunted, his tone tinged with annoyance. "I think he's a jackass who just wants to inconvenience me."
Pepper nodded in understanding, her expression thoughtful. She knew Harry's opinions on Stane were not unfounded; they had clashed on more than one occasion over business strategies and Harry's role within Stark Industries. It was clear to her that Stane's disregard for Harry's time and expertise was becoming increasingly frustrating for him.
"Mr. Potter." A young intern approached Harry as he and Pepper were leaving Stark Industries. "You are summoned to Mr. Stane's office now."
Harry exchanged a glance with Pepper, his expression a mix of resignation and annoyance. He mouthed the word "summoned" to her and rolled his eyes subtly before turning to follow the intern.
"Potter," Stane greeted him as he entered the office. The greeting lacked any warmth or welcoming tone; it felt more like an obligatory acknowledgement rather than a genuine welcome.
"Stane," Harry returned, his own tone cool and slightly challenging.
Stane sat behind his imposing desk, his expression unreadable as he observed Harry with a critical eye. He gestured for Harry to take a seat opposite him, a gesture that felt more like an order than an invitation.
"I wanted to discuss the direction of our recent meetings," Stane began, his voice measured but tinged with an underlying impatience. "Your ideas are... interesting, but they lack practicality."
Harry raised an eyebrow, not bothering to mask his scepticism. "Interesting and impractical? Is that your professional opinion, Stane?"
Stane's lips tightened slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his features. "My concern, Potter, is that your suggestions could lead Stark Industries down a costly and unnecessary path."
Harry leaned forward, his tone firm. "With all due respect, Stane, my proposals are grounded in both innovation and feasibility. I believe in pushing boundaries, not maintaining the status quo."
Stane's gaze narrowed, his demeanour growing more condescending. "Innovation, yes. But Stark Industries cannot afford to indulge in whimsical flights of fancy. We operate in a competitive market, and practicality ensures our survival."
"What is it that you actually want, Stane?" Harry asked bluntly, his gaze steady as he faced the older man.
Stane blew a plume of cigar smoke in Harry's direction, his expression unreadable. "Let's cut to the chase, Potter. Stark Industries is fundamentally a weapons manufacturing company. Consumer electronics, telecommunications, and medicine are not our expertise. Why don't you tell Tony that pursuing these ventures is a waste of time for all of us? I'm willing to offer you a significant sum of money if you can convince Tony to drop this idea."
Harry raised a single eyebrow at Stane's offer, his demeanour unflinching. "Stane, I don't like you," he said honestly, his voice tinged with disdain. "You strut around acting tough and authoritative in front of everyone, but when Tony's around, you're his number one bootlicker. That trait of yours is what I despise the most. It makes me question your integrity and wonder if you'd do anything for your own gain."
Stane's expression hardened, a flicker of anger crossing his features. "You underestimate the complexities of running Stark Industries, Potter. Tony may trust your ideas now, but he lacks the foresight to see the risks involved."
"And you lack the vision to see beyond your own self-interest," Harry shot back, his tone sharp and uncompromising. "Stark Industries can evolve beyond weapons manufacturing. We have the resources and the talent to lead in diverse fields, and I won't stand by and watch you limit our potential."
Stane leaned forward, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You're young and naive, Potter. You think you can change the world with your ideas. But in the end, money and power dictate everything."
Harry met Stane's gaze with unwavering resolve. "Maybe so. But integrity and vision count for something too. I won't be bought, Stane. Not by you, and not by anyone.
"It's good that you don't like me because I don't like you either," Stane retorted, his voice laced with cold hostility. His presence seemed to expand, a deliberate attempt to intimidate Harry. "I can easily make you disappear like the insignificant insect that you are. If you know what's good for you, you'll take the offer I'm presenting."
Harry met Stane's threatening demeanour with a calm smirk, unshaken by the implied menace. "You don't need to threaten me or offer me money, Stane. I'm here at Tony's request. I have no desire to work for you any more than you want me here. If you want me gone, just tell Tony that you don't need my input anymore. Convince him to let me go."
He leaned forward, his gaze steady and unwavering. "I won't make a fuss, even if you push me out. Money isn't what motivates me."
Stane's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening further as he absorbed Harry's defiant stance. He had expected resistance, but Harry's calm confidence seemed to unsettle him.
"You think you're clever, Potter," Stane muttered, his tone now edged with frustration. "But don't underestimate me or what I'm capable of."
Harry stood his ground, his resolve firm. "I won't. And I suggest you don't underestimate Tony's trust in me."
Stane studied Harry intently, his gaze piercing and calculating. "Guess I'm stuck with you until Tony steps down as CEO, which I don't see happening anytime soon."
Harry nodded knowingly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's right."
"Let's just get this over with as fast as we can, Stane. Once the new division is set up, I'm sure it will be off your hands, and you can go back to building your weapons while I can get back to my own life," Harry continued, his voice carrying an underlying urgency for closure.
Stane's response was unnervingly silent. His eyes drifted away from Harry, staring into the distance as if lost in thought. Harry's casual remark had not fallen on deaf ears; it had planted a seed of dark possibility in Stane's mind. What if Tony were out of the picture? The thought lingered, tantalizing and dangerous. Stane knew he would be next in line to lead Stark Industries, a position he had long desired.
As he sat in silence, Stane's mind churned with calculated thought. He began to subtly contemplate the strategies that could pave the way for his ascension. The allure of power and control over one of the world's most influential corporations began to overshadow any ethical or moral considerations.
Harry sensed the shift in Stane's demeanour, a chill running down his spine despite the warmth of the office. He had anticipated Stane's dismissiveness or perhaps even a sharp retort, but the eerie silence and the distant look in Stane's eyes unsettled him deeply. It was as if he had glimpsed a darker side of Stane, one driven not just by ambition but by a ruthless determination to shape Stark Industries in his own image.
As Harry quietly exited Stane's office, the weight of his own words lingered in the air like a gathering storm. The once familiar halls of Stark Industries now felt tinged with an ominous atmosphere, an unsettling prelude to the potential upheaval that Stane's newfound ambitions could bring.
Author's Note:
Thank you everyone for the support and thank you for your kind words and all the reviews that you have left. Alright, now we are fully into the Iron Man 1 movie. Writing the three scenes with Pepper, Tony and Stane and their contrasting relationships with Harry was fun. What do you guys think? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section and leave a review on what you think about the story so far. Thank you for the lovely reviews that you have left for me. Also, for all those that have left a review. I have replied to all of them via private messaging on the website, do give it a check.
I have recently started a P. A.T.R.E.O.N with the name Bivz643, if you guys are interested in reading ahead. For now, you can read ahead to chapter 20 of this fanfiction. There is only one tier for $5 with the benefit being that I will be posting 2 chapters per week there. I understand that not everyone can become a Patron and support me monthly. However, if you'd still like to read ahead, you can do so by getting the PDF version of the 2nd arc of "A Wizard in the MCU" for $3 at P. A.T.R.E.O.N. shop
Anyway, see you all next week. Happy reading.